Battle of Methven

The Battle of Methven (19 June 1306) was a battle of the Wars of Scottish Independence. In Scotland, Robert Bruce fought a civil war against the family and friends of John Comyn, in addition to fighting for Scotland's independence from England. In March 1306, he was crowned King of Scots, but, by the summer of 1306, the Earl of Pembroke had made his base at Perth, where he was joined by many supporters of Comyn. King Robert came from the west, ready to meet his foe in battle. Pembroke was invited to leave the walls of Perth and join Robert in battle, but they declined. The King saw this as a sign of weakness, so he made his camp at nearby Methven. Before dawn on 19 June 1306, his army was taken by surprise and nearly destroyed, as Bruce had accepted Pembroke at his word and declined to place pickets around his camp. His entire army was routed, and Bruce barely escaped and fled with a few followers to the Scottish Highlands.